Sports Roundup: MSU Wins at Purdue

College Basketball

Number 13 Michigan State Spartans beat the Purdue Boilermakers 94-79 last night on the road.   The Spartans made a school record 17 three-pointers. Gary Harris led the Spartans with 25 points; Adreian Payne added 23 and Denzel Valentine had 16. MSU improves to 22-and-5, 11-and-3 in the Big Ten. Michigan hosts the Spartans on Sunday.

In the MAC…. Northern Illinois beat EMU 61-59.

Olympics

Going into day 14 at the Sochi Olympics, the U.S. is atop the medal count with 25. Russia is second with 23 and the Netherlands have 22.

Marielle Thompson of Canada wins Olympic gold in women's skicross.

Men’s Hockey semi-finals today…. Sweden and Finland are underway.  Finland’s Goalie Tuukka Rask won't play because of an unspecified illness.  The US and Canada meet at noon.

Canada clipped the U.S. women's hockey team 3-2 in overtime to capture the gold medal yesterday in Sochi. Team USA blew a 2-0 third period lead, settling for silver. Canada has now won 20 straight in Olympic play and four consecutive gold medals. Switzerland beat Sweden 4-3 for the bronze.

American Maddie Bowman is the first-ever Olympic champion in the women's freestyle skiing halfpipe.

The U.S. was denied a medal in women's figure skating yesterday. Adelina Sotnikova of Russia won gold, with defending champ Yuna Kim of South Korea taking silver. Italy's Carolina Kostner grabbed bronze.  American Gracie Gold finished fourth as the U.S. failed to medal in this event for the second straight Olympics.

Pistons

The Detroit Pistons announced yesterday that guard Chauncey Billups underwent successful surgery on his knee. The 37-year-old had the arthroscopic procedure to help alleviate pain and inflammation because of a problem with his meniscus. He is set to begin rehab soon and will be re-evaluated in two or three weeks. Meanwhile, the Pistons did not make any moves by the trade deadline yesterday. Detroit is two and a half games behind Charlotte for the final playoff spot in the East. The Pistons host the Atlanta Hawks tonight at The Palace.

Boys Basketball
Waldron 57, Climax-Scotts 54.

Marshall Academy 52, Barry Co. Christian 49. Justin Evans netted 24 points

Girls Basketball
Athens goes to 17-3 with a 57-56 win over Springport. Allysha Beal made a 3-point basket, was fouled on the play and then made the free throw with 7 seconds left. Audrey Oswalt led Athens with 21 points, 11 rebounds and four steals.

Climax-Scotts 53, Waldron 37 Mary Smith netted 19 points

Delton Kellogg 48, K-Christian 35 Kristen Mohn had 25 points
Homer 53, Quincy 12

Tonight…. Boys Basketball
Battle Creek Central vs. Coldwater (BC Central 16-2)
Lakeview vs. Sturgis (Lakeview 8-9)
Harper Creek vs. Loy Norrix (Harper Creek 12-5)
Pennfield vs. Delton (Pennfield 10-8, Delton 5-12)
Colon vs. St. Philip (St. Philip 14-1) - Hear the game on WBCK!!!

Springport vs. Athens (Athens 7-9)
Bellevue vs. Climax-Scotts (Bellevue 10-6, Climax-Scotts 9-6)
Bronson vs. Mendon (Bronson 1-15)
Galesburg-Augusta vs. Parchment (Galesburg-Augusta 8-9)
Quincy vs. Homer (Quincy 14-3, Homer 15-1)
Gull Lake vs. Marshall (Gull Lake 11-5, Marshall 5-13)
Maple Valley vs. Olivet (Maple Valley 14-4, Olivet 5-12)
Jackson Christian vs. Tekonsha (Tekonsha 2-13)
Union City vs. Jonesville (Union City 6-10)

Girls Basketball

Battle Creek Central vs. Coldwater (BC Central 6-12)

Lakeview vs. Sturgis (Lakeview 11-9)
Harper Creek vs. Loy Norrix (Harper Creek 12-6)
Pennfield vs. Delton (Pennfield 12-7, Delton 5-13)
Colon vs. St. Philip (St. Philip 11-8)

Bellevue vs. Climax-Scotts (Bellevue 10-9, Climax-Scotts 10-8)
Bronson vs. Mendon (Bronson 9-9)
Galesburg-Augusta vs. Parchment (Galesburg-Augusta 13-5)
Gull Lake vs. Marshall (Gull Lake 16-1, Marshall 16-2)
Maple Valley vs. Olivet (Maple Valley 3-17, Olivet 18-1)

Saturday Boys Basketball
St. Philip vs. Hillsdale Academy

Lions

Detroit Lions coach Jim Caldwell says the team will take a strong look at getting another receiver in the offseason for balance at the position.  During a press conference at the NFL Combine yesterday, Caldwell said Calvin Johnson is going to continue to be the one who's going to draw double coverage, and whoever is on the other side of the field will have to be able to do some damage against defenders.  Detroit has the tenth pick in the upcoming draft, and analysts say the Lions should be able to find a receiver who can contribute immediately.

Two Sentenced in Giant Fan Beating
It's been almost three years since Scott Stow was nearly beaten to death outside Dodger Stadium.  Now two California men are headed to prison.  Stow, a Santa Cruz paramedic and father of two, was knocked unconscious during the unprovoked attack. He suffered severe brain trauma and will require long-term care for the rest of his life.  Thirty-one-year-old Louie Sanchez and 33-year-old Marvin Norwood will get all of 8 and 4 years after pleading guilty.   The two could have more time added, if convicted on Federal weapons charges.